Apparatus for making production tests in well drilling



Sept. 30, 1930.- e. A. MACREADY APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRODUCTION TESTS IN WELL DRILLING Filed July 25 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet urlllllllfllll l/l/Illl G/4MC'READK Se t. 30, 1930. G. A. MACREADY APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRODUCTION TESTS IN WELL DRILLING Filed July 25. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet gwszs 4 k 4,5 z 3 mm W Sept. 30, 1930. G. A. MACREADY APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRODUCTION TESTS IN WELL DRILLING Filed July 25. 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 P 30, 1930- G. A. MACREADY 1,776,917

APPARATUS FOR MAKING PRODUCTION TESTS IN WELL DRILLING Filed July 25, 1922 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Sept. 30, 1930 GEORGE A. MACREADYQ'OI LOS GELES, CALIFORNIA A'PPARATU FOR MAKING PRODUCTION TESTS IN WELL DRILLING- Application filed July 25,

In my application filed July 5, 1922, Serial No. 572,889, I disclosed anew method and apparatus for facilitating the making of production tests of the lower portions of deep wells so as to determine the proper point at which the well is to be sealed so as to cut off water from above the oil bearing strata.

This invention relates to improvements in my apparatus as above referred to.

It is an object of the present invention to v provide means for shutting off water and for maintaining a circulation in the apparatus preparatory to making a roduction test so as to insure the recovery the apparatus by keeping it from being frozen in the well or jammed. Further to provide an apparatus in which there is utilized an inner circulating pipe and an outer circulating pipe, the latter being capableof constant rotation during the production test. Another object is to provide means for the washing of the well by adding clean water during the lowering of the testing apparatus to a previously formed packer seat. ..An object also is to provide means whereby the washings from the well during the lowering of the packer may pass between an inner and an outer pipe and prevent the scouring of the wall of the well above the packer; means being provided for the 1 rotation of the outer pipe while washing circulation is maintained. It is, therefore, broadly an object of the invention to provide for a washing circulation in which the discharge water from the well passes up in through the apparatus and not directly along the well wall.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for facilitating production tests and for aid ing in determining the permanent sealing zone, and which apparatus includes a packer engageable with a formed seat and which packer is connected to a circulating and a sample taking pipe, and to provide about such pipe a constantly rotatable circulat 1922. Serial No. 577,433.

embodiment of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a diagrammatic vertical longitudinal section of the apparatus in the step of being lowered to a temporary sealing position. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of the apparatus in its effective sealing and circulation maintaining position.

Fig. 3 is alon itudinal central section of a-portion of one orm of packer string.

Fig. 4 isa cross section on line 4.-.4 of Fig. 5, showing the wall penetrating points.

Fig. 5 is a central longitudinal section of a modified form of the packer string. Fig. 6 is a central longitudinal section of a form of swivel head for the packer string.

Fig. 7 is a cross section on line 77 of Fig.6. FFig. 8 is a cross section on line 8.8 of

igi 6. k

Fig. 9 is a cross section on line 99 of Fig. 6.

The invention is embodied in an apparatus including a string of pipes and a packing section at the foot thereof and a stationary swivel case at the head thereof, and in the preferred form the apparatus is capable of eing bodily lowered, excepting the swivel top-mechanism,-into a well casing 2 of suitablediameter and at the top of which is a stufiing box 3, Fig. 1, surrounding an outer pipe 4 of such diameteras to form a suitably sized'cylindrical passageway within the casing 2.

It is understood that the packing string may be of any suitable number of sections of desired size -according to the given conditions, and the topmost section of the outer pipe 4 is shown in Fig. 6 as extending upwardlyinto a substantial block or swivel case 5 which has its lower end internally bored and threaded at 6 to receive the top section 4, and about which there is compressed a ring of packing 7 engaged by a packing gland 8 which is secured by a lock gland 9. This secures a water tight. operating joint as between the top section 4 and the case.

The swivel case 5 is provided with an open 6 upper end and forms a suitable chamber -such length as to which is closed as, by a retaining cap 11 which may be secured as by cap screws 12 mounted on the rim of a case 5. This latter is shown as provided with diametrically opposite trunnions 13 to be engaged by any suitable elevating and suspending means for such period of time as may be necessary in lowering the apnaratus into the well hole after which the case 5is lowered to a suitable support, as for instance a set of supporting beams 14, Fig. 2.

This enables the throwing of the elevating mechainsm of the string out of connection and facilitates the application of other appurtenances, as for instance to connect a small swivel of circulating pipes to the top of an inner pipe 15. This also provides for the step of bailing the well through the inner pipe 15 when the-swivel case 5 is stationarv on a permanent support. a

A form of mechanical construction providing for the rotation ofthetoppipesection4 includes an annular shoulder 4 provided on this top section, and this is lowered onto a set of ball hearings or other antifriction devices 16 arranged in the swivel case to take the weight of the parts-connected to the shoulder 4 Upthrust bearings 17 are provided on the shoulder 4 and these bear against a head block 18 which is fastened as by cap screws 19 to a shoulder provided therefor in the case 5. The top pipe section 4 extends up through the block or head 18, and the latter is provided with a hub portion 18 internally threaded to receive packing members for compressing a packing ring 20 surrounding the contiguous portion of the pipe 4.

Circulation into and from the swivel case chamber 10 is provided by any suitable connection as a lateral coupling 21 which may be connected to the circulation pumps or otherwlse as may be necessary so that water can be forced down in the outer pipe 4 or can flow up through the outer pipe 4.

The inner pipe 15 is built up of a suitable number of connected sections, the topmost of which passes upthrough the cap 11 and is packed therein by packing members22 and 23 compressing a packing ring 24. The head pipesection 15 is of sufficiently small diameter to provide an ample passageway 25 within the pipe section 4, and preferably the top pipe 880131011 15 is provided with an operating bearing and guide means at the lower end of the top section 4. Such means is here shown as includin a plurality of radial ribs 15 Fig. 9, space sufliciently to provide ample passageway for the water and being of give eflicient guide and bearing surfaces,

The top sections of pipes 4 and 15 may preferably terminate even with each other below the swivel case 5 and thus provide for the ready'attachment and disconnection of the subjacent sections durin operation.

A preferred form of packing means is shown in Fig. 5 as including the necessary inner and outer pipes 15 and 4, and to the lower end of these pipes the packing elements are attached. The lowermost outer pipe 4 is threaded into the upper end of a substantial bearing sleeve 30 which is provided with an internal shoulder 31 somewhat below its upper end, and the lower end of the bearing sleeve 30 is turned down as at 32 to a suitable diameter.

The inner string of pipe 15 includes a foot section of hollow spindle 33 having a thickened body portion 33 terminating in a shoulder 33 bearing on the shoulder 31 of the bearing sleeve 30. The upper end of the spindle body 33 is externally threaded so as to receive a packing gland 34 compressing a packing ring 35 against the contiguous surface of the bearing sleeve 30 and thus forming a watertightjoint. Thehollowspindle passes down and rotatably fits in the bearing sleeve 30, and below the end of the sleeve is arranged a ball or other antifriction bearing 30 supported on an internal shoulder provided therefor in a packer body 37 into which the lower end of the hollow spindle 33 is threaded at 37 so as to be securely attached thereto. The body of the packer extends upwardly and is counterbored to receive a packing gland 38 for compressing a packing ring 39 against a rotating surface of the interposed bearing sleeve 30.

The packer body has an etfective packing exterior lower portion which is preferably tapered so as to form a good seal upon a previously cut seat prepared therefor in the well hole, and in the present case the lower end of the packer body 37 is turned down and is pro vided with a series of longitudinally spaced rings or shoulders 37 4 below which the lower end of the packer body is externally threaded as at 37% to be attached to a small central sample taking pipe, not shown, which can be entered into a small well hole cut therefor at the bottom of the well.

The reduced ortiou of the body 37 of the packer is suitab y embedded in or surrounded by any desirable material having the property of making a good tight seat with the well wall, and this packing material isindicated at 40. It is built up to any desired degree of thickness and it is retained in place against longitudinal shifting, under the su perimposed load, asby the shoulders 3711 provided therefor. If desired. to insure against rotation of the packer. the body may be provided with substantial projections or penetrating points 41 to engage the contiguous wall or seat in the well hole and thus lock the packer in place against turning.

A slightly modified form of the parking apparatus is shown in F ig. 3. In this form the inner pipe spindle 33 is provided with an enlarged intermediate body portion 33 1; forming an upper shoulder upon which rests i a packing ring 48 therein.

a ball bearing 33 which in turn presses up against a contiguous shoulder provided on the upper body portion of the bearing sleeve in and through which the upwardly ex-- tending and reducedspindle 33 passes. At-

tached to the lower end of the sleeve 30 isa locking sleeve threaded at 46 onto and in the lower end of the bearing 30, and this locking sleeve 45 extends upwardly and engages spindle 33. The lower end of the lock sleeve 45 is internally counterbored and threaded to receive a locking gland 47 for compressing The hollow spindle 33 extends below the end of the locking sleeve 48 and is threaded in the upper end of the body 37 of the packer as herein previously described. i

From the above it will be seen that when the I elevating and suspending baildevi'ce B, Fig.

1, is attached to the swivel case trunnions 13,- the whole stringof inner and outer pipes 15 and 4 are, carried by the casing swivel and the outer pipe is adapted to be rotated by the usual rotary table R of a rotary drilling apparatus. While the string of packer elements are being lowered into the well, rotation can be maintained by the rotary table R of the outer pipe 4, while the inner pipe and the packer attached to the packing spindle 33thereof being connected by a swivel )OlIlt at the bottom of the string in the bearing 30 does not rotate. During the lowering of the string, circulation is maintained by a flow of circulation fluid entering thetop of the inner pipe 15, thence down to the bottom of the inner pipe where it discharges-freely into the well and passes up to the'surfac'e thereby preventing the pipe from sticking.- Just before seating. of the packer, circulation is main-- tained as by a flow of water entering the top oftheinner pipe 15, and thence down to the bottom of the inner pipe where it discharges frelyinto the well and passes up outside of the lower inner pipe and around the packer 37 as is shown in Fig. 1, and thence up until the water may find access into the outer pipe 4. This access and escape from the well hole is provided by a series of apertures 4 in'the lowermost section of the pipe 4 and just above the foot swivel and bearing member 33. The stuifing box 3, being closed, prevents the water from going up outside of pipe 4 thereby avoiding scouringthe walls of the hole. The upwardly flowing water passes freely into the space between the inner pipe 15 and the outer pipe 4 and thus does not rise along the well wall and the scouring of the wall is prevented above the packer. The water entering the pipe 4 passes to the top thereof and escapes through the lateral connection 21 as indicated in Fig. 1.

' When the packing string has been lowered to the necessary position, the packing facing 40 engages the seat S provided therefor in the well hole and becomes fixed and solidly seat-. ed and is held against rotation either by fric-' tion upon the seat or by the interlocking of the holding prongs 41 engaging in the wall. As soon as the packer has become seated, it will be seen that upflow from below is prevented except through the innermost or-central pipe l5. This is open continuously from top to bottom and provides for the bailing of the bottom of the well and for such other steps as may be taken in the production test.

When the. packer is seated, mud circulation may be maintained from the pump system by forcing the fluid into port 21 of the swivel case at the head of the well wallwhen this is seated on its permanent supports 14. The fluid is forced down through the space between the inside pipe 15 and the outside pipe 4 and discharges outwardly through the openings 4 and passes upwardly along the surface of the well .and plasters the wall abovethe packer. The upwardly flowing circulating mud is discharged through the well casing at the head of the well. It will be seen also that the weight of the columns of pipes upon the seated packer-can be readily regulated by the amount of weight of the swivel head and apparatus that is super-imposed. on the permanent supports 14 the packer has become seated. The advantage of this is that considerable strain is removed from the packer and also from the string of pipe sections and their joints throughout the string. 7

Thisco'nstruction provides for the constant rotation of the outer pipe string4 while it isbeing lowered into the hole and after the upon which the swivel case is lowered after 7 packer has become firmly seated and provides said case and down through said outer pipe,

the outer pipe, and which packer is adapted to be rested temporarily upon a previously formed seat in the well, said outer pipe having adjacent to its lower end inlet and outlet openings for fluid to provide for discharge or entry of fiuid from and to the outer ipe.

2. Anapparatus for obtaining uid from and carrying a packer at its lower end below pipe, a pac downwardly within the outer pipe about the inner pipe and discharged therefrom above the seated packer.

3. An apparatus for obtaining fluid from a drilled well comprising inner and outer pipes, a packer movably connected to, the outer pipe and having a passage therethrough communicating with the inner pipe, whereby fluid may be'withdrawn through the seated packer and the inner pipe while the outer pipe is being moved, there being discharge ports adjacent the bottom of the outer pipe so that circulation fluid may be forced down- .wardly within the outer pipe about the inner pipe and discharged above the seated packer during the movement of the outer pipe.

I 4. A flow tester comprising inner and outer pipes, a packer connected to the outer pipe having a passage in communication with the inner pipe, said inner pipe and passagecoopcrating to form a straight, continuous, unobstructed conduit from the bottom of the packer upwardly, there being ports providing for the discharge of circulation fluid through the outer pipe around the inner pipe. 5. An apparatus for making production tests in deep well drilling comprising an outer pipe, a packer having a passage therethrough and-which is capable after having once been seated in a well of retaining its sealing effectiveness independently of forces exerted upon it by the outer pipe, means cooperating with the packer for forming a conduit extending from the bottom of the packer upwardly within the outer pipe, and means including an anti-friction bearing providing a' movable connection between the packer and the outer pipe enabling the outer pipe to be moved while the packer remains seated without disturbing the seated packer.

6. An apparatus for making production tests in deep well drilling comprising an outer er having a passage therethrough and which is capable after having once been seated in a well of retaining its sealing effectiveness independently of forces exerted upon it by the outer pipe, means cooperating with the acker forming a conduit extending from the ottom of the packer upwardly within the outer pipe, means providlnga movable connection between the packer and the outer pipe enabling the outer pipe to be moved while the packer remains seated without disturbing the seated packer, and means associated with the 7. An apparatus for making production tests in deep well drilling comprising an outer pipe, a packer having a passage therethrough and which is capable after having once been seated in a well of retaining its sealinoeffectiveness independently of forces exerte upon it by the outer pipe, means 00-: operating with the acker forming a conduit extending from the ottom of the packer upwardly within the outer pipe, means providing a movable connection betweenthe packer and the outer pipe enabling the outer pipe to be moved while the packer remains seated without disturbing the seated packer, there being discharge portsin the outer pipe permitting circulation to be maintained within and without the outer 'pipe while the outer pipe is being moved.

8. An apparatus for making production tests in deep well drilling comprising an outer pipe, a packer having a passage therethrough and which is capable after having once been seated in a well of retaining its sealing effectiveness independently of forces once been seated in a well of retaining itssealing effectiveness independently of forces exerted upon it by the outer pipe, means cooperating with the packer forming a conduit extending from the bottom of the packer upwardly within the outer pipe, means providing a rotatable connection between the packer and the outer pipe enabling the outer pipe to be rotated while the packer remains seated without disturbing the seated packer, and means associated with the packer adapted to en age the wall of the well to hold the packer rom being rotated under the influ ence of the outer pipe.

10. An apparatustor making production tests in deep well drilling comprising an outer pipe, a packer having a passage therethrough and which is capable after having once been seated in a well of retaining its sealing effectiveness independently of forces exerted upon it by the outer pipe, means cooperating with the packer forming a conduit extending from the bottom of the packer upwardly within the outer pipe, means providing a rotatable connection between the packer and the outer pipeenabling the outer pipe to be rotated while the packer remains seated without disturbing the seated packer, there being ports provided in the outer pipe permitting circulation to be maintained within and without the outer pipe while the outer pipe is being rotated.

11. An apparatus for making production tests in deep well drilling comprising a packer having a passage therethrough, an inner pipe communicating with said passage and serving by its weight to cause the packer to maintain its sealing effectiveness While seated in a well, an outer pipe rotatably disposed about the inner pipe above the packer so as to be capable of being rotated relatively to the inner pipe and packer, and'means connecting the outer pipe to the packer whereby the packer may be lowered to its seat and removed therefrom by the .outer pipe.

12. An apparatus for making production tests in deep well drilling comprising a packer having a passage therethrough and being downwardly reduced in size, means 00- operating with the packer forming a conduit extending from the bottom of the packer up-v wardly, and an outer pipe disposed about said conduit and movable relatively to said packer.

13. An apparatus for making production tests in deep well drilling comprising a packer having a passage therethrough and having a downwardly tapered external seating surface, means cooperating with the packer forming a conduit extending from thebottom of the packer upwardly, and an outer pipe disposed about said conduit and rotata movable relativelyto the packer;

14. An apparatus for making production tests in deep well drilling comprising a packer having a passage therethrough and having a downwardly tapering external seating surface, meanscooperating with the packer forming a conduit extending from the bottom of the acker upwardly, and an outer 1pipe disposed ly connected to the packer.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

GEORGE A. MACREADY.

about said conduit and. 

